New styling and structural and suspension improvements keep
the Lexus IS350 competitive in the compact sports-luxury market

Lexus's second generation IS sports sedan had an unusually long life,
from its model year 2006 debut through 2013 with no major changes and
remarkably few minor ones. Was this a sign that Lexus was losing its
competitive edge?

Hardly. That iteration of the IS aged particularly well, quite a feat
considering that it competed with luxury-sports sedans like the BMW
3-Series, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Cadillac CTS. Change comes
for 2014, with the newest IS.

2014 Lexus IS 350

Where the second-generation IS was revolutionary, with a new structure
and styling and replacing the original 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a
choice of 2.5- or 3.5-liter V-sixes, the third is more evolutionary.
Powertrains remain the same, both offered with rear- or all-wheel drive,
although the rear-wheel drive IS350 gets an eight- instead of six-speed
automatic transmission. Structurally, new construction techniques result in
increased structural rigidity and a three-inch stretch in wheelbase and
redesigned rear suspension improve rear-seat and trunk space. Outside, the
latest Lexus styling cues are immediately evident, while inside is more
room for everyone, and new styling that borrows heavily on Lexus's exotic
LFA.

Since it aims at the sport side of sport-luxury, but not all potential
customers want the firmer suspension that "sport sedan" means, the standard
suspension tune is appropriately moderate. The F-Sport package, available
for all models, both RWD or AWD, is for those who want a spicier driving
experience with their luxury. Content varies according to model but
includes upgraded wheels and suspension and sportier body styling at a
minimum, and on the IS350, multi-mode Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)
and further development of the Drive Mode Select system that is standard in
all models. All IS350s and the IS250 F Sport get an "intake sound
generator" for, in Lexus's words, "a more sporting exhaust note".

A rather fully-equipped 2014 IS350 AWD F-Sport has been my test car for
the past week. A 306-horsepower V6 matched to a multi-mode six-speed
automatic transmission and the AVS and addition of Sport S and Sport S+
modes to the Drive Mode Select took care of the sports sedan side of its
character very well. The ability to turn to Eco or Comfort around town, in
traffic, or on the highway and then Sport S+ when opportunity arose, using
less unleaded premium when possible to atone for guilty pleasure on the
back roads led to a 20 mpg average for the week, with minimal highway
droning. On the comfort and luxury side, well, this is a Lexus. So, leather
and stitched soft-touch materials, power everything, sunroof, all of the
expected audio options plus Bluetooth for phone and streaming audio and
more are standard. Options including blind-spot and rear cross-traffic
monitoring, and a Mark Levinson audio system plus navigation and
information galore and the Enform suite of infotainment possibilities
should keep everyone happy.

From the slightly tentative IS 300 in model year 2001, the Lexus IS has
carved its own niche in the luxury compact sports sedan class. And since
the third generation debuted less than a year ago, one would expect that
2015 would bring few changes, maybe color or upholstery choices. While the
basics haven't changed -- meaning anything written here can also apply to a
2015 equivalent -- details have. LED foglamps join the running lights and
headlights. The F Sport package gets heated and ventilated seats for
year-round comfort, and a heated steering wheel is optional in standard AWD
and standard in F Sport AWD models. And there is more connectivity for iOS
and Android devices.

APPEARANCE: Love it or hate it, there is no ignoring Lexus's
hourglass-shaped "spindle" grille. Look beyond that, and the newest IS is
not all that different from the previous version, for continuity and
recognition. It's a bit longer, but doesn't really look it. In profile,
it's more like a coupe than a sedan, with a near-fastback passenger cabin.
L-shaped LED running lights bracket the headlights. F Sport gets you a
sportier front fascia, with a low front splitter (be careful parking),
functional ducts immediately outboard of the lower grille, and faux ducts
beyond those. Sculpted rocker panels emphasize the modestly-flared fenders.
Fittingly, considering the likely maturity of buyers, it has a sports sedan
look without being an obvious "boy racer". There is a subtle ducktail at
the trailing edge of the trunk, no lurid wings here thank you.

COMFORT: One of the major reasons for the IS when the IS 300 debuted was
to give potential customers choice: ES for American luxury, IS for more
European. And the IS is still the most Euro of Lexus's offerings, with
uncluttered interior styling in addition to the expected comforts and
gadgetry. State-of-the-art technology abounds, especially in F Sport
models, with TFT instrumentation and a moving center speedometer ring.
Information, both necessary (tach, coolant temperature, fuel level) and
less so, is displayed well and all systems are simple to use and
understand. The trackball-like controller on the console for the center
stack information display is a bit gimmicky but requires no assistance from
the manual. Seat comfort in front is first class, power-adjustable of
course. The steering wheel manually adjusts for tilt and reach and has
auxiliary controls for most systems. Old-fashioned knobs supplement the
screen-based controls for the climate system. Because of a high and wide
central tunnel, the rear seat is best thought of as for two people. They
get floor heat vents and console AC, plus a bit of storage in front
seatback and door pockets and a center armrest with cupholders. The
good-sized trunk has a space-saver spare lurking under its floor.

SAFETY: Strong materials and careful design and construction protect
passengers. All IS models have four-wheel disc brakes; IS350s have
ventilated rear discs as well as fronts. Antilock, of course, with
electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, and traction and
stability control, all managed by the Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management
(VDIM) system. There are ten airbags, front, knee, and side for front
passengers plus rear side and full-length side curtain. Optional safety
systems include blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert and the
Pre-Collision System.

RIDE AND HANDLING: Improvements in rigidity of the IS's unibody from
greater use of high- and ultra-high tensile strength steel, laser screw
welding and adhesive bonding to attach sections, and rear subframe and cowl
bracing mean a quieter ride and better suspension response. Revisions to
the front double-wishbone and rear multilink systems take advantage of
that. The IS 350 F Sport's Adaptive Variable Suspension is integrated with
the Drive Mode Select system to change damping from moderately soft in Eco
and Comfort modes to firmer in Sport S and more so in Sport S+ modes. The
result is a car that is comfortable in daily use and very competent for
high-performance driving.

PERFORMANCE: With 306 horsepower (at 6400 rpm) and 277 lb-ft of torque
(at 4800 rpm), there is no shortage of power from the namesake 3.5-liter
V6. Aluminum alloy block and heads keep weight down, and direct fuel
injection allows a high compression ratio -- 11.8:1 -- for efficiency.
Auxiliary port injectors makes for quicker warmup and better low-throttle
operation. VVT-i variable cam phasing and lift dynamically optimizes
airflow for optimum efficiency with minimal emissions. Power delivery is
linear, and for most daily driving, transmission in D and Eco or Comfort
mode is perfect. When it comes time to play, go directly to Sport S+ for
quickest throttle response and, in D, more performance-oriented shift
points. Even better then, slide the gear lever to manual mode and use the
paddles behind the steering wheel arms. This is not a fuel economy-oriented
car, but an average of 20 mpg with maximum fun roads and minimal highway is
nothing to be ashamed of given the performance.

CONCLUSIONS: New styling and structural and suspension improvements keep
the Lexus IS350 competitive in the compact sports-luxury market, especially
in F Sport trim.

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